COLOMBO TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001860 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ETTC KVPR PREL PTER KTFN CE LTTE SUBJECT: COLOMBO TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) REF: STATE 175637 1.The contact information for the TFCO for Colombo, Sri Lanka is the following: James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of Mission 94-11-244-8007 extension 2433 EntwistleJF@state.gov ¶2. The contact information for the TFCO deputy for Colombo, Sri Lanka is the following: Dean R. Thompson 94-11-244-8007 extension 2420 ThompsonDR@state.gov ¶3. Answers to reftel questions are below: (c) Regional meetings with other TFCOs would be helpful, as would a listing with classified email addresses of TFCOs and backups. At times the issues are extra-regional (for example, LTTE fundraising in Canada) and it would be useful to have a directory to help with information sharing and inquiries. Econ chief will attend the TF training in Washington in November and hopes to develop more insights into the interagency coordination processes and enlarge our contact network through this mechanism. (d) Sri Lankans and Maldivians are generally very aware of terrorism finance issues and press accounts have periodically noted that the US recognizes LTTE affiliated entities such as the Tamil Relief Organization (TRO). Post can easily arrange for placement of public diplomacy articles, op-eds and other media pieces in local media outlets. (e) On a Sri Lanka specific matter, we have asked on several occasions that Washington look into the finances of the Tamil Relief Organization (TRO) USA. The UK recently banned the TRO, not for terrorism links, but rather shoddy accounting procedures and opaque bookkeeping. We believe, given the links between TRO and the LTTE, that the USG is entitled to ask for explanation as to the ultimate disposition of TRO fundraising efforts. LUNSTEAD